Cardiff is a great place to celebrate the end of the working year. The city centre is compact so you won’t waste time travelling between venues. Cardiff has a great choice of different places to eat and drink and the locals are very friendly.
If you are thinking about Christmas Parties in Cardiff, there are plenty of options for teams of all sizes. The best parties are the ones that are planned well, so knowing your colleagues is a great place to start. The party could be structured to fit the people in your office. For example, some people like a big, noisy night out while others just want a quiet dinner.
Once you have a basic plan about the sort of night you want to organise, you need to find a venue that can host the event. You’ll have no problem finding a place to hire for your Christmas party in Cardiff as there is a great range of different options including historic buildings, hotels and conference centres. Because the city centre is walkable, you could even plan an event that happens in multiple venues.
Many companies choose shared parties as their package as it means less organising for them. You purchase tickets for your staff to a larger event and the food and entertainment is arranged for you. This option is ideal for smaller to medium sized groups. If you wish to have an event that offers more privacy or allows you to include speeches, a private party would be better.
Book as early as you can. December dates, especially on Fridays, in Cardiff book up really quickly, especially during the weeks when the city is really busy with shoppers or rugby fans. If your staff can be flexible, weekday evenings, or early December dates are easier to book.
While Cardiff is smaller than many other large cities in the UK, it is still busy and worth considering. Both Cardiff Central and Queen Street stations are fairly central and near to most venues. Taxis are available, but really can be hard to get later in the evening because of the high demand. Many of your staff may be able to get back to their hotel by using the public transport system, but if they live further away it may be worth considering getting them transport to and from the venue.
Consider dietary needs and accessibility from the start. When you collect names, ask about allergies and preferences, and send the menu ahead of time so guests don’t have to ask about ingredients the night of. Contact your venue about accessibility to make sure they have a step-free route and a quiet space. The alcohol industry is great for colleagues who don’t drink, but it’s always great to have some fun non-alcoholic drinks options as well!
What will make the evening special? A short award ceremony or raffle bring people together without feeling like you are being singled out and acknowledged for your work in front of everyone. Any type of formal activity should be short to allow everyone to mingle and relax.
What kind of practical information do you need? Define deadlines for deposit, final numbers, and payment and send them a reminder via email. Ask what the policy is if someone has to cancel last minute. This information can bring a lot of stress the week of the event.
Cardiff is a great spot to host your event. With a good budget and early planning you can make a great celebration for your colleagues.
For more ideas and options, see Christmas Parties Cardiff.